Guidance from an experienced legal team during a separation, divorce or dissolution of a Civil Partnership can make all the difference.
Going through the breakdown of a relationship can be a difficult and distressing time for you and your family, particularly where it involves children or where there are complex financial or property considerations.
Our team are experienced in dealing with the broad range of issues that may arise on a separation, divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership. Importantly, we have significant expertise in the more challenging areas that often need more careful consideration and experience, including cases that involve complex or foreign assets, Trusts, significant pension portfolios or business interests.
We treat all cases sensitively and are known for our pragmatic and constructive approach. All of our family lawyers are members of Resolution, a national organisation of family lawyers committed to non-confrontational divorce, dissolution or separation. A number of our team are Resolution Accredited Specialists, and some are collaboratively trained, which means they can help you navigate any issues jointly with your partner to meet the needs of the family as a whole.
We understand the complexities and challenges that can arise during a divorce or separation and can help you to prepare for those - preventing disputes before they happen and helping you to protect your position. We will guide you carefully through the process to an effective resolution and subsequent implementation of the arrangements, giving you realistic and straightforward advice throughout.
When necessary, we are able to apply our experience in complex proceedings in the Family Courts whether regionally or in London.
On average a divorce can typically take six months from the date of issue to conclusion if the divorce is straightforward and there are no complications or jurisdictional issues to consider. However, where there are other issues to resolve such as the appropriate division of the finances then a divorce will often take longer.
From 6 April 2022, the law changed to introduce “No Fault Divorce”. There is a minimum timeframe of 20 weeks before the application can be made for a Conditional Order (first of the two orders, which use to be called Decree Nisi). This enables divorcing couples to reflect on their decision to divorce, and to consider whether a reconciliation is possible. Importantly this also allows opportunity for the resolution of financial issues before the divorce is concluded.
There is a minimum wait of six weeks and one day from the date the Conditional Order has been made to when the application for the final order (Decree Absolute) can be submitted. It is standard practise not to finalise the divorce until there is a financial settlement which has been approved by the Court as to do otherwise can have financial disadvantages which mainly relate to the loss of pension and inheritance rights.
All that is needed is to prove that a marriage has broken down irretrievably by a statement to that effect, which can be provided by either or both parties. There is no longer a need to apportion blame or to wait for a period of separation to elapse before commencing divorce proceedings.
There is a court fee of £612 currently payable to commence a divorce. There will also be solicitors fees which can be discussed with your solicitor at your first meeting.
We find that on average a dissolution can typically take six months from the date of issue to conclusion if the dissolution is straightforward and there are no complications or jurisdictional issues to consider. However, where there are other issues to resolve such as the appropriate division of the finances then a dissolution will often take longer.
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Our team will be responsive and accessible – a valued partner ready to assist you every step of the way.
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